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Beaubien Woods Event Kick-off by President Preckwinkle

President Preckwinkle and General Superintendent Arnold Randall Kick-Off Beaubien Woods Event on June 9, 2012.

This past Saturday, Cook County residents gathered along the shores of Flatfoot Lake at Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve on Chicago’s far south side for the Beaubien Woods Celebration and Summer Kickoff.

Forest Preserve District Board President Toni Preckwinkle and General Superintendent Arnold Randall officially kicked off the summer festivities, calling attention to the incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation and learning that the forest preserves offer, including the upcoming Films in the Forest outdoor movie series.

Addressing the crowd, President Preckwinkle gave special mention to the role played by Forest Preserve District police, pointing out that they serve both as police officers and as conservation rangers with specialized knowledge of the unique set of issues in the forest preserves. Families attending the event could learn to paddle a canoe on Flatfoot Lake, meet a box turtle, see live native fish, learn about fish anatomy, take hikes through the preserve’s various habitats, go birdwatching, build forts with sticks, shoot archery, compost to lively party music, and go fishing, among other things.The event was a partnership between the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the Field Museum, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Fishin’ Buddies, Eden Place Nature Center, and Greencorps Chicago.